The RMS undertook a progressive upgrade in stages of the Great Western Highway from Lapstone to Katoomba from about 1990 to 2016. From around 2009-2012 it undertook the upgrade through the town centre of Lawson, involoving the demolition of the commercial centre shops, widening of the Highway and significant landscaping. This project involved the installation of a carpark in front of the new shopping centre separated from the highway shoulder by a narrow landscaped strip. A decision was made by the RMS, with the encouragement of Council’s Urban Designer and the RMS’ consultants HBO+EMTB, to construct the planting strip to provide adequate root volume, deep aeration and stormwater polishing.
Lawson, Great Western Highway, Shopfront planting – Quercus palustris
Case Study Information
Study Details
Purpose of Project:
Streetscape renewal
Installation Type:
Other
Designed planting pits to provide adequate root volume which will allow trees of large scale and include stormwater water polishing in infiltration pits
Tree Planting Date:
2011 approx
Tree Species:
Pin Oak
Quercus palustris
Number of Trees Planted:
8
Tree Stock Size at Planting:
100+ or ex-ground
Number of Trees Surviving:
6 + 2
Survival Assessment Date:
April 2019
Features:
Other WSUD type
Owner of Site:
Blue Mountains City Council
Study Contact Details
Contact Name:
Susan Bell
Contact Phone
02 4780 5447
Contact Email:
Location Details
Location Address:
Great Western Highway, Lawson
8
Council/LGA:
Blue Mountains CIty Council
Technical Detail
If you require details not available here, see contact details.
Case Study Description
Further Details
Design &/or as constructed detail
Depth of Engineered Space:
1.3
Volume of Engineered Space:
250M3 approx
Drainage Type:
Resource/Image/Document:
CONNECT
Surface Treatment:
Growing Media Detail:
Soil MIx A (to 300mm depth): 30% imported topsoil, 50% coarse sand, 20% organic matter, + amendments
Soil mix B: (subsoil)40% imported topsoil, 60% coarse sand.
Note detail included on plan V01
Surrounding Site Soil Detail:
Hard paved surface with compacted subgrade as per engineering details
Surrounding Area Resource/Image/Document:
CONNECT
Watering Regime:
None
Maintenance Detail:
24 months establishment maintenance – none subsequently. Note two trees at the eastern end were demolished buy a car and have been replaced.None
Non-Technical Detail
Challenges Overcome:
Justifying the need for tree trench space
Stakeholder Feedback:
Positive
Stakeholder Support for future projects of this kind:
Yes
Funding Source:
RMS Great Western Highway upgrade – Lawson stage 2
Project Cost:
Unknown
Partners/Sponsors Information:
Would not have been possible without an enlightened RMS project manager and an excellent consultant
